New Delhi: Against the backdrop of a deadly fire at a bed-and-breakfast facility allegedly operating illegally in Hauz Rani, Delhi home minister Ashish Sood on Friday announced that the Disaster Management Act, 2005, will be enforced more strictly to prosecute guilty officials for negligence or corruption.Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta holding a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat over the Hauz Rani fire, on Friday (HT Photo)Under the Act, the guilty can be imprisoned for up to two years and fined. The announcement came after chief minister Rekha Gupta held a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat over the Hauz Rani fire, killing at least 21 people.Addressing the mediapersons, Sood said the CM had categorically stated that the government’s losses in disasters such as fires would be recovered from the guilty. “Under the Revenue Recovery Act, 1890, losses suffered by the government will be recovered from the salaries, pensions and properties of guilty officials. In addition, the bank accounts and movable and immovable assets of builders and owners will be frozen and attached,” he said.Over the illegal constructions, Sood said, “The action will be taken against officials whose negligence or collusion allows illegal constructions, fire safety violations, or other hazardous activities to flourish. Moreover, provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act may be invoked wherever necessary.”Sood said that due to the fragmentation of administrative authority among various agencies and bodies in Delhi, strict enforcement of rules often proved challenging, and officials were able to avoid responsibility.To address this problem, he said, the government has decided to strengthen the powers of District Magistrates.“The DM will soon have extensive authority to fix accountability of officials working in any department within their administrative districts, initiate disciplinary action directly, order registration of FIRs, approve or cancel leave, and take immediate action against officers who fail to perform their duties,” he added.An official said the Delhi government is likely to take up the proposal to increase the DM’s powers at the next cabinet meeting.Instructions were issued requiring junior engineers, assistant engineers, and other officials posted to provide a clear account of construction activities and the certificates issued during their tenure.Sood said Gupta directed the development of a mechanism for third-party insurance for buildings, guest houses, nursing homes, and other public-use premises. “The insurance companies would provide coverage only when structural safety is ensured, thereby increasing pressure on building owners to comply with safety standards,” he said.On emergency response, Gupta also instructed a system to maintain a digital record of the entire timeline, from receipt of a fire call to the arrival of the firefighters.During the meeting, the officials were instructed to prepare updated records of construction activities every three months using drone surveys, satellite imagery and digital mapping.The CM called for a system that would automatically alert the concerned official whenever new construction activity is detected in any area and also record the action taken.Probe committeeSood said a joint inspection committee, headed by the DM, has been constituted, including senior officials from Delhi Police, Fire Services, and the Municipal Corporation, and will conduct inspections of all guest houses, hotels, restaurants, banquet halls, and other commercial establishments operating in their respective areas and submit reports within one week.Any establishment found violating licence conditions or operating without permission will be sealed immediately.The government has also directed the development of a dedicated online portal for complaints related to unauthorised construction, where complaints can be filed against any official, from a Patwari to a District Magistrate or any other officer.The Chief Minister also suggested the creation of a special drone cell at the Divisional Commissioner level to carry out regular monitoring.On high-rise buildings, the CM directed that, wherever violations are found, the upper floors should be vacated and sealing or closure action should be taken as required.